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The whole point of the Thompson Center Encore system is versatility, and this .243 Win barrel is one of the easiest ways to add range and flexibility to a rig you already own. It's a 26-inch stainless steel barrel with precision fluting and a threaded muzzle, built to swap onto your Encore Pro Hunter frame in a couple of minutes. Pull the hinge pin, drop the barrel and forend on, and you've got a whole new caliber without buying a whole new gun.
The .243 Winchester is about as dual-purpose as it gets. Based on a necked-down .308 case and introduced back in 1955, it was designed from the start to pull double duty on varmints and deer-sized game. Light bullets in the 55 to 80 grain range flatten coyotes, groundhogs, and prairie dogs at distance, while 90 to 105 grain loads handle whitetail, mule deer, and pronghorn with authority. Low recoil, flat trajectory, and wide ammo availability are why this cartridge has stayed popular for seventy years. With a 26-inch tube like this one, you're squeezing every bit of velocity the round has to offer.
The fluting isn't just for looks. It sheds weight and adds surface area for faster cooling, which helps when you're stringing shots on a prairie dog town or working up a handload at the bench. Stainless steel shrugs off weather and moisture better than blued steel, a nice touch for hunts in wet country. The muzzle comes threaded 5/8-24 with a thread protector, so you're set up for a suppressor or muzzle brake right out of the gate.
There are no iron sights on this barrel, and the receiver comes drilled and tapped so you can mount the scope of your choice. That's standard for a precision hunting setup, and it lets you build the .243 around whatever glass fits your style of hunting. Keep a scope zeroed on this barrel and it stays sighted in, ready to grab whenever the season or the game calls for it.
Yes, this barrel is built for the Thompson Center Encore and Encore Pro Hunter frames. Swapping is quick: remove the hinge pin, change the barrel and forend, and you're set. It does not fit the smaller Contender frame, which uses a different, lighter platform.
The .243 is a true dual-purpose cartridge. Lighter bullets around 55 to 80 grains are ideal for varmints and predators like coyotes and prairie dogs, while 90 to 105 grain loads handle deer-sized game such as whitetail, mule deer, and pronghorn. It's known for flat trajectory and mild recoil, which makes it easy to shoot well.
No, this barrel ships without iron sights. The receiver is drilled and tapped so you can mount the scope base and optic of your choice. That's typical for a precision hunting barrel and lets you build the setup around your preferred glass.
Yes, the muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 and comes with a thread protector installed. That standard thread pattern accepts most common suppressors and muzzle brakes made for centerfire rifles. Just confirm your device matches the 5/8-24 pitch before mounting.
| UPC | 810180300889 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 8170R |
| Barrel Length | 26" |
| Caliber/Gauge | .243 Winchester |
| Length | 26" |
| Model | |
| Product Type | Accessory-Barrels |
| Shipping Weight | 0.0 |
| Sights | No |
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